Beautiful Surrender

He could have stood there and stared at her all night, but she broke the moment, gave him a slight smile, and walked away. Only when she left did Malik let his breath rush from his lips, and then he took a final swig of his beer.

“But on the other hand,” Micah said. “I never see her look at anyone the way she looks at you. So maybe she’s just waiting for you to make a move.”

Malik didn’t know if Micah had told him that in hopes that he’d make a fool of himself and prove him right, or if he actually believed what he was saying. Regardless, it didn’t matter because there was no doubt in his mind that he could handle all that Mya was willing to offer and more. Making up his mind, he passed Micah his empty beer bottle and followed after Mya.

* * *

The Anguilla beach on a hot March night was truly a beautiful sight. But even the warm wind looping through Mya’s brown curls and the festive reggae music couldn’t ease her mind. Taking off her heels, she stepped off the deck. She then placed her pedicured toes in the white sand and began walking toward the ocean.

Even in the nighttime, she could see shadows of couples on the beach wrapped up in their own love cocoon. As she stood there, gazing out at the ocean, she welcomed the darkness that hid the sadness written across her face. I’ll just stand like this for a few minutes and then I’ll rejoin the party and put on my best smile, she thought to herself as she closed her eyes. She was determined not to waste any more time on her friend’s special day thinking about the call she wished she hadn’t received. Besides, she was leaving for the airport the next morning to meet with some members of the Chicago community about the current status of two after-school programs that were in danger of closing. She had to make sure that her brain was clear for her meeting.

“I love the sound of the ocean at night,” she whispered. Her eyes remained closed, but she was well aware that someone else had joined her on the beach and was standing close by. The light scent of Giorgio Armani cologne proved that it was the one person she wished hadn’t followed her to the beach. Not because she was prepared to subject him to the same verbal warning that she had given to the guy who had hit on her earlier, but because she knew he was the one man who made her feel so unlike herself.

“It really is a beautiful sound.”

Mya slowly lifted her head and peered over to the man who owned the deep, penetrating voice that caused shivers to run throughout her body.

“Are you enjoying the wedding?” Malik asked, staring back at her.

“Of course,” she said with a smile. “It’s everything that Cyd and Shawn wanted.”

“Think you’ll ever get married one day?” The question he asked would’ve been simple if it had come from any other man, but coming from Malik, it made her pause before responding.

“Probably not,” she finally replied. “What about you?”

“Not in the cards for me, either, although my mom is trying to convince me to go out with her friend’s daughter. Micah getting engaged before me is really complicating my life,” he said with a laugh.

“That’s understandable,” Mya said, joining in his laughter as she remembered the way Cynthia Madden had inquired about her love life when she realized Mya was still single on the day Micah proposed to Lex.

They stood in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Malik began to speak again. “Listen,” he said stepping a little closer to her. “I have some business to take care of in Chicago next week so after I leave here I won’t be going right back to Detroit.”

“I’m leaving tomorrow,” Mya replied as she tried to stall the question she knew Malik would ask and averted her eyes back to the ocean.

“So I was wondering,” Malik continued, staring directly at her and ignoring her attempt to sidetrack him. Even in the darkness, she could feel the intensity in his eyes. “Would you like to go out with me sometime next week?”

Ugh! Why did he have to ask me out? “Listen,” Mya said as she tried to think about the best way to decline and not come off as rude. “I appreciate the offer, but I have to pass. I can’t go out with you.”

“Okay,” he said, turning back to the ocean. “May I ask why?”

I wish you wouldn’t. “I just have a lot going on and I don’t have time to date.”

She could feel the tension in the air and knew he still had more questions.

“I understand,” he said, rubbing his hand across the back of his neck. “But one date couldn’t hurt.”

I really don’t have time for this. Mya actually did like Malik, but she didn’t want to date him or any other man right now. She had way too much going on in her personal life and dating Malik, a man who knew all her friends, meant that he was too close to her life. If things didn’t work out, where would that leave them? Mya knew the deal. One date would turn into two dates, and then three dates. Next thing they knew, everyone would be celebrating their wedding and proclaiming what a cute couple they were. It had happened to Imani, Cyd and recently engaged Lex.

She laughed aloud at the direction of her thoughts. The man had asked her on one date and she was already predicting how badly it could end. Nonetheless, she knew her decision was a solid no.

“How about we just stick to seeing each other at friendly gatherings,” Mya finally replied.

Malik gave her a sly smile. “For now,” he added before he began walking back to the deck. Mya turned around to watch him walk away until he faded into the darkness.

Malik was sweet, nice and definitely not equipped to understand her complicated life. He would never be able to handle me,’she thought, turning back to the ocean.

Chapter 1 (#ulink_26b830e9-10eb-5202-9c36-d47ff6165f5f)

Two months later...

There was nothing cuter than an adorable little guy with smooth creamy brown skin, piercing round honey eyes and a head full of curly brown hair.

“It’s official, I think I’m in love,” Mya Winters said softly as she placed a hand over her heart and gazed down at the face of her newest addiction.

“He’s such a ladies’ man,” said Mya’s friend and Elite Events cofounder, Imani Rayne-Barker. “I think he has a crush on you.”

“I think he does too,” Mya replied as her heart swelled with pride. “Hey, little guy,” she cooed while touching the hands of the smallest human she’d ever held. “It’s Auntie Mya and I’ve been thinking about another promise I want to make to you. I promise to always give you cookies and teach you all the things your mom doesn’t want me to teach you.”

“Really, Mya,” Imani said, her voice filled with laughter. Imani and her husband, Daman Barker, were the proud parents of Daman Stanley Barker Jr., who everyone affectionately called DJ.

“You are the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” she exclaimed as she rocked DJ in her arms. He laughed in a way that proved he agreed with her statement. He caught ahold of her pinkie finger and gently tugged, rewarded by a large smile from Mya.

“He’s only five weeks old and you already spoil him way too much,” Imani said as she walked around her living room picking up an array of shopping bags filled with clothes and toys for DJ that Mya had lugged through the door earlier.

“I can’t help it,” Mya said as she made funny faces at DJ. “He deserves the best.”

Imani opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by her husband, Daman.

“The rest of the clan is here,” Daman announced as he walked into the room followed by Cyd and Lex.

Imani stood to hug them, but the two women went straight to Mya who was still making funny faces at DJ.

“I’m next,” Cyd said taking DJ out of Mya’s arms after promising Mya that she would give him back soon. “How’s my handsome nephew doing?” She brushed noses with DJ who raised his little hands to cup her face.

“I love it when he does that,” Lex said observing the exchange between Cyd and DJ before she placed more shopping bags in the corner of the living room where Imani had neatly stacked the bags from Mya.

“No love for me?” Imani said reaching out her arms. Lex walked over and gave her a quick hug.

“Sorry, sis,” Cyd said, making no attempt to move. “I’ve been waiting all day to hold DJ.”

“I can’t wait until you guys have kids so that y’all can see how it feels to be ignored.” Mya laughed at her friend’s comment. Imani was the most motherly of the group so Mya knew she loved the attention DJ was getting. Happiness was reflected in her eyes every time she looked at DJ.

Mya wasn’t the mushy or sentimental type, but being around DJ brought out feelings in her that she hadn’t ever felt before. Not having a family of her own meant she missed normal family milestones like graduations, birthday parties, first births of the family and the overall feeling of belonging.

“How about I take my son with me to the next room while you ladies get started on business,” Daman announced to the room. He reached his arms out to a reluctant Lex who had just tugged DJ from Cyd. After giving the infant a small peck, Lex handed DJ over to his father.

“Okay, since I called this meeting, I’ll start,” Mya said as she slipped a few sheets of paper out of her bag. Ever since Imani had given birth to DJ, there had been more meetings hosted at Imani and Daman’s estate with a gorgeous view of Lake Michigan, than the Elite Events office in downtown Chicago. Choosing Imani’s home to host their weekly Monday meetings gave Mya, Cyd and Lex a chance to see DJ who had quickly become the main reason any of them went shopping anymore.

“As I discussed a few months ago, there is a huge problem with the two after-school programs that we sponsor in conjunction with Chicago Public Schools.” Mya handed each of the women a sheet of paper. “A few days ago, the advisory board informed me that the programs would be shutting down in a couple months. Our efforts to save the programs didn’t help.”